“We are showered every day with gifts, but they are not meant for us to keep. Their life is in their movement, the inhale and the exhale of our shared breath. Our work and our joy is to pass along the gift and to trust that what we put out into the universe will always come back.” Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
God gives us gifts so that we can use them to help or bless others. There is a line that says,”Blessed to be a blessing.”
“Generous God, among the trappings of this season, grant us wisdom to receive the gifts you bring. Help us share those gifts with those in need. Amen. Humble and Holy: Devotions for Advent & Christmas 2025-2026
It saddens me that Republicans and Democrats can’t even agree on the facts any more. I don’t see how to debate politics when we can’t agree on the facts.
My Republican friends and family trust news sources that I suspect are lying. While, they think that my fellow Democrats and I are being lied to.
I have prayed to God that He will help all of us in the US to see the world and our nation in the way that it is rather than what we think it is. I just realized that I should be asking God to give us the strength and wisdom to be able to handle this knowledge.
Dear God
My heart breaks as I read news about fellow citizens and residents suffering in my country. I have been proud of my nation’s generosity for most of my life.
Now, I feel like our hearts are closing ourselves off from our neighbors. We are viewing each other as terrorists, traitors or evil. Yet, we all love this nation in our own way. Help us to see people who we disagree with as people rather than something to hate.
Please help us to see the truth about our nation and its relationships with other nations. I believe that the truth will help free us from this hatred that is running rampant in our nation. Grant us the strength to be able to handle the truth no matter how different it may be from what we think the truth is. Once we know the truth, guide us on how to respond to and act on that truth. Amen.
I am reading a devotional for Advent and Christmas. Here is a quote full of hope.
We may live through difficult, even oppressive, times when it seems that suffering in our world will never end. The birth of Jesus is a reminder that his reign of peace is the only kingdom that endures.
We can find comfort in communities of faith that acknowledge the suffering in our world, find strength together to endure, and receive hope and courage to work for that reign of Christ that is eternal. Humble and Holy:Devotions for Advent &Christmas 2025-2026 by Augsburg Fortress
I have been hearing about fires on the radio. I have not even watched any video (well, I did watch one but it was satellite images) or looked at pictures because the descriptions are already touching my heart. So many people have lost their homes while others desperately seek pictures of their streets. I have no idea what these people are feeling right now. But, God knows their struggles.
May God be with them in a special way. May others treat them with loving kindness and compassion.
Thank You for the first responders and many others who are fighting the fires or helping the survivors. Please protect them and guide them as they work to help others.
In the name of Jesus who loved us enough to die for us. Amen.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart, that the barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease, and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978
I am reading through Genesis and listening to a Bible study podcast on the book as part of my new year’s goals. The podcast recently talked about how God created man in his own image. I have always loved how God created us in a much more hands on way than He did for the rest of creation. It makes me think that God loves mankind in a special way. Then, He called us “very good” rather than “good.” Since we are created in God’s image, we can show our love for God by treating His creation with love especially His most loved creation, mankind.
Unity is on my mind because this country, USA, feels very divided right now. I encourage everyone to remember that the opposing party is not evil. Both parties have honest, hard working Christians in them. We just disagree on what is best for the country. The media shares the most extreme views of both parties.
Here is another prayer from the same book about the diversity of the human race.
O God, you created all people in your image. We thank you for the astonishing variety of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Lutheran Book of Worship 1978
On January sixth, we celebrate the coming of the three wise men or Magi.
Lord God, on this day you revealed your Son to the nations by the leading of a star. Lead us now by faith to know your presence in our lives, and bring us at last to the full vision of your glory, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Lutheran Book of Worship 1978
I pray that God will continue to reveal himself to us, his believers, and to all mankind. While we know about His love and glory, I suspect very few of us can understand the depth of His love for us. His glory is brighter than the sun which is hard for me to imagine since I can’t look at the sun.
Here is the lyrics of a hymn titled As with Gladness Men of Old that we sang at church today. I love how it applied the story of the wise men following the star to my life today.
As with Gladness Men of Old did the guiding star behold; as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward burning bright; so most gracious Lord, may we ever more be led by thee.
As with joyful steps they sped, Savior to thy lowly bed, there to bend the knee before thee, whom heav’n and earth adore; so may we with willing feet ever seek the mercy seat.
As they offered gifts most rare at thy cradle, rude and bare, so may we with holy joy , pure and free from sin’s alloy, all our costliest treasures bring, Christ to thee, our heavenly king.
Holy Jesus every day keep us in the narrow way; and when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last where they need no star to guide, where no clouds thy glory hide.
In the heav’nly country bright need they no created light; thou its light, its joy, its crown, thou its sun which goes not down; there forever may we sing alleluias to our king.
This hymn feels like when I cry out to God for guidance.
“Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light.
When my way grows dreary, precious Lord, linger near, when my life is almost gone, hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall.
When the darkness appears and the night draws near, and the day is past and gone, at the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand.”
I am sitting at church listening to the other members chatting nearby a counter with brownies and other snacks. Here is the group confession for today.
“God, our provider, help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen.
The line about believing that “there is enough to share” made me think of how greedy we get sometimes. I feel more secure when I have money saved up. But, I think some people get to the point that they constantly need more and more in order to feel safe. I like the fact that this guides me to pray for the ability to feel safe in what I have while I share some of it with others.
My pastor at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha shared this prayer with us.
Lord God, I am facing a difficult decision in my life and I do not know the road to take. You have given me the awesome power to choose freely as well as the intelligence to choose wisely. Inspire me to make the right decision no matter what it may be.
As I walked home from church today, a familiar urge filled my heart. The words of one of the hymns sparked my desire to pray for the world again.
It is titled O God of Every Nation (713 in the ELCA hymnal).
“O God of every nation, of every race and land, redeem your creation with your almighty hand; where hate and fear divide us and bitter threats are hurled, in love and mercy guide us and heal our strife torn world.
From search for wealth and power and scorn of truth and right, from trust in bombs that shower destruction through the night, from pride of race and station and blindness to your way, deliver every nation, eternal God, we pray.”
I think these two verses describes us and our world so well. When the pandemic began and the Ukraine war began, I felt this need to pray for our world. Yet, I struggle to even know what to ask for. Peace from war and hatred? Healing from illness? A reprieve for those who are suffering due to illness, wars, poverty and natural disasters? Guidance for the leaders of each and every nation?
I cry out for easy answers and easy fixes. Yet, God seems to listen intently with no response.
Here is a short quote from another song titled God of Grace and God of Glory (705)
“Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour…Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days.”
We, as a world, need Your guidance and courage to live in these chaotic times. Please grant this to us.
Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,
by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
